Glow Worm 75-B boiler leaking

[AdrianUK]

My parents have an aged Glow worm 75-B free standing balanced flue boiler from the 1970's. Its provided flawless service for last 30 odd years ..... I by-passed the inbuilt programmer years ago & its had a couple of new pumps... but now its started to leak.

The cast iron heater exchanger has what appear to be eight 6 sided covers on the front, each secured by a bolt on a stud, top and bottom. It appears to be leacking from the bottom of one of these.

Has anybody attempted to remove one of these plates & replace the gasket? I know I'll need to drain the system down & I guess the last bit of water inside the boiler cant be drained off so I'll need to be ready to catch it. Is there any point in trying this? Am I likely to make the problem worse by disturbing things?

We dont really want to replace the boiler yet.... if we can just coax it along until the summer and then look at what to do.

Any thoughts?

 

[fazedup71]

replace the boiler, it's time has come to pass to the other side, they have had there money out of it

 

[easyflow]

Needs re-ringing (new rubber gaskets) drain down and completely drain system undo the bolt plate covers replace with new gaskets.

 

[AdrianUK]

Thanks EasyFlow ..... any idea who still sells the gaskets or an I going to end up making some? (Have access to rubber sheet... and then I guess using a gasket seal compound too?)

Adrian

 

[easyflow]

Should still be supplied by GW or you may need to trawl the internet.
If you have a manual part no should be supplied.

 

[gas112]

You will have to make your own these will not be avialable off the shelf

 

[CBF]

ummm am i missing something here ? to do that you will have to completely strip the boiler unless you want the burner filling up with water.

DIY job i think not

 

[Tibbot]

Indeed. Then again the OP will struggle to get anyone to take on the job.

 

[fazedup71]

agreed hence why I think it is new boiler time, it's a hell of a job to take on

 

[gas112]

Changing the mud hole gaskets on one of these is not rocket science no need to strip boiler at all, drain boiler .
These usually have a drain cock at front or side at low level undo 2 nuts and plate comes off clean up faces new gasket and back on not even a mornings work for a reasonable diyer

 

[AdrianUK]

Gas112,

Thanks for that .... I think I'm going to have a go. There is a drain cock on the boiler and a sludge valve on the lowest point of the central heating pipes so shouldnt be too much of a drama to drain down.

If we dont try it - boiler is scrap, if I try & fail - boiler is scrap, if I remove the plate & find its too corroded or shear a bolt - boiler is scrap BUT there still a possibility that I might find the iron is in reasonable nick and my new gasket will seal. Managed to find some suitable material at work to make a gasket out of so I don't think I've got anything to loose.......

Adrian

 

[45yearsagasman]

I've done loads of reseals on those and old Potterton boilers in the past and have made new gaskets and had very few that could not be repaired. Give it a go, what have you got to lose? Good luck.